The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a stern advisory cautioning citizens against the fraudulent issuance of SIM cards, misuse of telecommunication identifiers, and tampering with IMEI numbers.
The department warned that such offences constitute severe violations under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, carrying penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment, fines extending to Rs 50 lakh, or both.
The advisory follows recent cybercrime investigations conducted by the DoT’s Madhya Pradesh LSA, which exposed a Point of Sale (PoS) agent in Chhattisgarh illegally activating 25 mobile connections using citizens’ identity documents without their knowledge or consent.
In response, the DoT and Telecom Service Providers immediately blacklisted the non-compliant PoS agent to prevent future SIM activations. Using the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), authorities flagged the suspicious connections for mandatory re-verification; numbers that failed verification were promptly deactivated.
The DoT emphasised that original subscribers may face direct legal liability if SIM cards registered under their names are found to be involved in cyber fraud, muling, or illegal activities.
Citizens have been advised to refrain from:
- SIM Muling and Renting: Loaning, selling, renting, or transferring SIM cards registered under their credentials to unauthorised third parties.
- Identity Fraud: Procuring SIM cards using fake identity documents, impersonation, or misrepresentation.
- Tampering Equipment: Using, assembling, or buying equipment—such as modems, modules, or SIM boxes—configured with tampered IMEI numbers.
- Spoofing Identifiers: Employing websites, software, or mobile applications to alter Calling Line Identity (CLI) or other network identifiers.
To prevent misuse, the DoT encourages citizens to regularly audit their mobile connections and handsets through the official Sanchar Saathi Portal or mobile app.
Through the portal, users can access the “Know Your Mobile Connections” service to view all active phone numbers registered under their identity documents and request immediate blocking for unrecognised or unneeded numbers.
Additionally, the “Check Genuineness of Your Mobile Handset” facility allows users to verify IMEI details—including brand, model name, and manufacturer info—before purchasing devices.
